Robert Griffin III: Cowboys must draft Bijan Robinson after Ezekiel Elliott release, Brandin Cooks trade

The Dallas Cowboys have taken care of two of their biggest needs for the 2023 roster this week with the trades for cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Brandin Cooks. With roughly $10 million in cap space to work with at the moment, there could be more moves coming. However, the NFL draft next month is where they’ll most likely fill in their remaining holes.

ESPN analyst and former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III was vocal about the Cowboys’ next move after the Cooks news broke on Sunday.

“Now all the Cowboys have to do is draft Bijan Robinson,” Griffin tweeted on Sunday.

Now all the Cowboys have to do is draft Bijan Robinson pic.twitter.com/3GLzG1PHE6

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 19, 2023

“The Cowboys are making WIN-NOW MOVES,” Griffin also added. “They have traded for 29-year-old Brandin Cooks and 32-year-old Stephon Gilmore. Two established playmakers at their most important positions of need. It’s an admission of the Amari Cooper trade mistake and a different approach this off-season.”

After releasing former first-rounder Ezekiel Elliott as a cap casualty, Dallas does have a need for a strong RB2 to pair with Tony Pollard. Malik Davis, a 2022 post-draft pickup, could fit the bill, but Robinson would be a sure thing.

The Cowboys have the No. 26 overall pick in the first round, which puts them around where the Texas ball-toter could come off the board. In recent mock drafts though, Robinson went as high as No. 10 overall.

Cowboys open to drafting a running back at No. 26

Asked about the team’s philosophy on first-round drafting and the durability of running backs, Stephen Jones explained at the Combine that they tend to aim for players with longevity in the top half of the first round.

However, he did not say the Cowboys are opposed to going for a running back if he’s high on the board and still available.

“If you’re taking a player in the top half, you’re hoping you’ve got a player who is going to be here for 10 years,” Jones told reporters. “And it’s tough for running backs to last 10 years. There’s not many Emmitt Smiths or guys that play that long. Normally, we’ve said we have 18 to 20 first-rounders on your board. Usually, when you’re picking 26, you’re pretty lucky if there’s still a first-rounder left on your board.”

“I think certainly if the right guy were there and you loved him and you needed him, then you’d take him,” Jones added.

Robinson racked up 1,580 rushing yards on 258 attempts. He also added 314 yards on 19 receptions.